The great uncertainty that has weighed heavily on the bus company’s staff in the last few months is finally coming to an end, the curators said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
“In the given circumstances, we are pleased that we can enable a quick restart of Van Hool’s business activities with VDL Groep and GRW/Schmitz Cargobull. An agreement in principle has been concluded with VDL Groep (coaches and buses) and GRW (semi-trailers),” says curator Jeroen Pinoy.
“We have discussed and finally accepted the binding offer submitted by VDL Groep (Netherlands) and GRW (South Africa), a partner company of Schmitz Cargobull (Germany), with all stakeholders involved.”
The acquirers provide employment for approximately 650 to 950 employees in the first phase, employment that could grow in the longer term. Precise numbers will be announced in the coming weeks by the acquirers themselves. Approximately 2,500 employees worked at Van Hool.
The modern factory in North Macedonia was a welcome addition for VDL, the access to the American market is what seduced Schmitz. With a well-filled order book and trained staff, a restart could be done quickly.
Earlier today, Rolf-Jan Zweep, CEO of VDL’s bus division, had said that if there was no clarity about the offer by tonight, VDL Groep would withdraw. He pointed out that VDL made a good offer, with real guarantees of employment. Zweep also added that VDL did not participate in an auction.
Curator Jeroen Pinoy. — © BELGIUM
“The interest among the various parties was very genuine and showed great appreciation for the bankrupt company Van Hool and its employees,” says curator Jeroen Pinoy in a response.
“When comparing the totality of the various components of the recent bids and expressions of interest, these did not appear to be significantly better than the binding offer that VDL Groep and GRW had already made last week. There was a risk that if the company were not to restart immediately, the good employee potential at Van Hool would be lost,” he adds.
“In addition, the distribution of ordered vehicles (coaches, buses and industrial vehicles) would take even longer, which would inevitably result in a loss of income. This would ‘dry up’ production and the distribution channel, which would cause irreparable damage. This is the best solution for employment and a sustainable restart.”
Other candidates
The ABVV union asked the curators to seriously compare all bids, with a view to retaining as much employment as possible. That of course happened, the curators say.
West Flemish entrepreneur Guido Dumarey, who had withdrawn from the bidding war last week, suddenly said he did have the necessary bank guarantees and came with a major partner at his side.
The American bus distributor ABC, 38 percent owned by the bankrupt Van Hool and the exclusive distributor of buses on the American market, bid for the part of Van Hool that makes buses. And while curators, unions and employees were still recovering from that sudden upheaval, a new plot twist emerged. A bid for the other part, that for the semi-trailers, came from CIM Capital. That company was founded by Marc Van Hool, who, like CEO Filip Van Hool, is a grandson of founder Bernard – so the two are cousins. But Marc’s father Paul was bought out in 1999.
© BELGIUM
Businessman Guido Dumarey promised to retain more jobs in the long term, but the trustees and unions had expressed doubts whether the competing bid would actually create substantially more jobs.
The curators finally made the decision late on Wednesday evening. The staff will be informed on Thursday.
Response from Jo Brouns and ACV
Flemish Minister of Work Jo Brouns (CD&V) believes that the curators have made their decision “in complete independence and after careful consideration of all interests.” Brouns hopes that this will bring an end to the uncertainty of the past few weeks. He emphasizes that a future can be built again with jobs for at least 650 people in the short term. In the meantime, the VDAB would do everything in its power to guide the dismissed employees. “At Vlaio and Gigarant we have the necessary support measures ready to make investments and the associated employment possible,” Brouns concludes.
“The disappointment and impact of the bankruptcy remain great,” the Christian trade union ACV responded after the agreement. According to Kim Samison (ACV), the blow will take some time to process. “First and foremost for the employees and their families, but also for the region and the manufacturing industry,” she says. “This company failed with a fantastic product and employees.”
Because every hour counted in Lier, the Christian union wants to learn lessons and look for perspective. “The board of trustees has done the necessary homework,” said Samison. “After all the plot twists and uncertainty, there is now only the way forward.”
2024-04-11 00:18:57
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